HOOPSWORLD | Basketball News & NBA Rumors » Lin and Harden are paying dividends

Lin and Harden are paying dividends

Posted By HOOPSWORLD On January 2, 2013 @ 3:00 pm In All,Wirenews | Comments Disabled

by Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY Sports

One month into the 2012-13 NBA season, the James Harden-Jeremy Lin backcourt for the Houston Rockets sputtered.

It reached a point where some analysts suggested the Rockets might be better off bringing Lin off the bench. At $8.3 million perseason, that was one expensive backup point guard.

There were traditional and advanced statistics to prove Harden and Lin weren’t clicking. In the first month of the season:

The Rockets scored 102.8 points per 100 possessions, allowed 102.7 points per 100 possessions, shot 43.6% from the field, including 35.2% on three-pointers, and averaged 97.75 possessions per every 48 minutes.

With Lin on the bench, the Rockets averaged 103.9 points per 100 possessions, allowed 100.8 points per 100 possessions and shot 42.5% from the field. With Lin on the court, Houston averaged 102.4 points per 100 possessions, allowed 103.5 points per 100 possessions and shot 44% from the field.

With Lin and Harden on the court at the same time, the Rockets averaged 102.5 points per 100 possessions, allowed 104.2 points per 100 possessions and Harden was a minus-3. With Lin on the bench and Harden on the court, the Rockets averaged 104.9 points per 100 possessions, allowed 96.3 points per 100 possessions and Harden was a plus-20.

Now, 15 games is a small sample size for sure, but the early returns suggested Lin and Harden weren’t the dynamic combo the Rockets expected.

But beyond a small sample, a series of other factors were neglected. Harden was acquired just before the start of the regular season and didn’t have a training camp to work with Lin and his new teammates. Lin was in his first season as the known starter headed into Game 1 and was learning a new offense with new teammates on a very young team. Houston’s opening-night starting five included Harden (fourth season), Lin (third season), Omer Asik (third season), Marcus Morris (second season) and Chandler Parsons (second season).

Rockets coach Kevin McHale understood it required time and patience, with patience being the most trying part.

“Until the team really understands how you play – every team has a style and a lot of teams are trying … [For more on Lin and Harden are paying dividends for Rockets: NBA A-Z, click here.]

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